Pair: Marine J. H. M. Williams, Royal Marines General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Norther...

Pair: Marine J. H. M. Williams, Royal Marines General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (Mne J H M Williams P038915X RM); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (Mne 1 J H M Williams P038915X RM) the latter in named card box of issue, extremely fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- John Henry Morris Williams served with 2 Troop, K Company, 42 Commando, Royal Marines during the South Atlantic campaign. The recipient’s Personal Recollections of the campaign, including the Air Battle for San Carlos, the bombing of the Sir Galahad in Bluff Cove, and the Battle for Mount Harriet state: ‘Even though 40 years has now passed I have many vivid and rich memories from this episode of recent British history. I feel forever fortunate to have played a part, albeit small, in this gripping campaign with a wonderful group of men, both lucky and proud, to be called Royal Marines. My introduction to the rapidly unfolding Operation Corporate was dreamily surreal. I happened to be lying in the sun, on a beach in Paleocastritsa, Corfu, when a 4 day old copy of the Sun newspaper seemed to land in front of me. The headlines jumped out and hit me for six: “Royal Marines head a Task Force to recapture the Falklands from Argentinian invasion...” Suddenly my self-indulgent speculation of Mediterranean excess by both day and night was replaced with the excruciating fear that I was might miss out on this adventurous but arduous challenge, one whole hemisphere away. I ran to the Hotel, and called the 42 Commando Guard room in Bickleigh for instruction. I was deflated to be told “Carry on enjoying your vacation, they have already Sailed! But be back for Parade 08:00, Monday 12 April!” I obviously did my best to enjoy my last few days in the Ionian sun after 12 weeks in Norway, but the thought of missing out, was like an agonising tooth ache needing a serious remedy! On Monday morning, I was amongst a group of disgruntled stragglers that formed on the Parade ground of Bickleigh Barracks to await instruction. I felt nervous, and compelled to find a way to head South and rejoin K Company and my Commando unit, but sensing I had to make the right choice, if I was to find a way not to be guarding the Tors of Dartmoor for the Summer! It was promptly announced that volunteers were required; I almost stepped forward but a peculiar instinct held me back. It was just as well as these volunteers were detached to Northern Island! Then a second group of volunteers was required; for this I did step forward, and quickly informed I was to train as air defence for the Landing Ship Logistics [LSL’s] already on the way to the Falklands. What a relief I felt, as I was now heading in the right direction. Soon we were off to Salisbury plain to practice firing at model aircraft with the General Purpose Machine Gun. Then in a whirling blur we were on a plane flying via Senegal, to the Ascension Island to meet the arriving fleet. On arrival at Ascension, I was rapidly assigned with 8 others under the command of Sergeant D’Olivera to be part of the the Air Defence Team for the LSL, Sir Galahad. Soon I was making myself comfortable in my cosy berth on the Port side, adjacent to the tank deck. One of my self compelled tasks was complete, as I was in amongst this exciting gathering of men and might, on an undertaking, that seemed to have seized the collective unconscious of all involved. Some fellow Marines were still imagining that the cruise South would likely conclude as a wild “Run Ashore” in, may be, Rio De Janeiro after diplomatic negotiations removed the need for an armed conflict; so of course duly concentrated on improving their sun tans and samba dancing “Bootneck” style. Yet, for no sure reason, my subconscious was certain that a serious encounter lay ahead, and I felt the overwhelming need to be involved in this, with my Company- K Company! I soon found a way to get on a Launch to visit the Canberra. My vague plan was to persuade Captain Peter Babbington, to allow me to replace a less eager Marine, who could take over my GPMG Duties. With my friend Corporal Kevin Dale as an intermediary, I believe the suggestion was forwarded, yet the verdict retuned, that it was not possible at this moment. However, I was gently appeased by the fact I would automatically rejoin the company after the ammunition and other logistical supplies were unloaded from the Sir Galahad, and replace the early casualties. As I got on the launch to return to the very unstable, flat bottomed LSL, for the journey South, all my K Company friends crowded the rail to sing “Piss off Bungy”, while “dance-miming”, a wildly rocking boat pitching erratically, compared to a calm beer filled cruise for the lads of K Coy! It was a sparkling performance that certainly made me smile while reinforcing my desire to soon be back surrounded by their mighty humour! Anyway for now I would have to concentrate on the new world of being a GPMG gunner in a team with Jimmy Mann on a rolling bath tub of a vessel, as the “The Great White Whale” and its escorting destroyers and frigates cut effortlessly through the large South Atlantic swells. However, there was a sight one day after leaving Ascension that I should not forgot. The sun was high to the North and every last vessel of the task force was bridged with a rainbow formed from its own spray, almost like a halo, and I chose to take it as a sign of united good luck. We did watches at night- mostly to keep us busy I think- but in the day we practiced mounting our GMPG”s on their new steel poles on which they could rapidly swing and pivot through the imaginary flight paths of attacking aircraft. The Royal Marines Medical Squadron were all on board and were having daily lectures to get the up to speed for for battlefield trauma, so I would attend whenever I could! This turned out to be very important as some of the techniques I learned proved very useful later, as did my friendship with the Marines of Medical Squadron who would later assist me on my quest, when arriving at the “Red and Green Life Machine” of Ajax Bay. I cannot remember the transition from preparation, to the sure acceptance that we were truly about to commence the landing, yet there seemed to be a powerful calm that descended over everyone and in the early morning of 21 May we sailed into San Carlos Water. It was a clear night slowly that slowly became morning as we manned our guns and watched the glistening water and dark looming slopes gradually fill with the colours of dawn. Landing Craft were already inserting troops onto the nearby beaches and we waited curious, tense, and nervous waiting for the explosions of gunfire and artillery to commence. As daylight flooded San Carlos Water it was a stirring sight to see the task force anchored closely together providing mutual protection. I watched the ant like activities of soldiers on the land digging their defensive positions, while others situated the Rapier missile systems on the lower to mid slopes. Soon all of the Medical squadron were disembarked and setting up the Field Hospital in the disused slaughter house of. Ajax Bay, directly across from our anchorage. It remained eerily silent. The Sir Galahad had a Gazelle helicopter it was transporting and supporting. The pilot came for a walk around the port poop deck, where my gun was situated, to appraise the topography and get a feel for the day and the task ahead. Lieutenant Ken Francis had been my Company Second in Command in South Armagh with 41 Commando, 2 years before, and we had a quick, upbeat, yet serious, conversation about the day that possibly lay ahead. I wished him well on his upcoming mission to support the landing. Time is always a mystery...